During my medical studies, I chose to spend many of my electives and free time on oncological wards with patients with advanced cancers. I was most fascinated by women's cancers, and especially ovarian cancer. More than 25 years ago the therapeutic options for these women were much more limited than today, so I wanted to work for and with them and help them as much as I possibly could. This is why I chose the field of gynecologic oncology.
What has been your greatest achievement so far in your career?
That I am able to treat and help women with very advanced or relapsed gynae cancers that are being referred to me due to the highly challenging status of their disease. Even if I am not always able to help, still I am very happy when I am able to.
What would you still like to achieve?
To promote a culture and a system in Europe and the UK where women like those are treated only in superselected and superspecialized reference cancer centres so that they get the best possible outcome and do not get inferior treatment cause of the lack of specialised expertise, ressources or infrastructure.
What do you feel is the most rewarding/enjoyable aspect of your career at Imperial?
To be able to work in a multidisciplinary and highly diverse environment, where all of us benefit from teh ideas and different perspectives of eachotehr and are so able to generate ideas and plans that would otherwise not be possible.
And what is the most challenging?
The infrastructural and financial limitations of the NHS are sadly very often challenging.
What are your views on mentorship? Have any colleagues helped you and what advice have you been given?
I am myself a mentor for young women in the field of Surgery that want to pusue an academic carrer and I truly believe that having a menot to can help, support and inspire you is very important to help you achieve and reach you fullest potential and pursue your dreams. Of course my collegues have helped me a lot since I came to the UK and joined Imperia especially in adjusting to the UK and NHS system.
What advice would you give to someone coming into this field?
To be and remain strong and hard working despite the difficulties and challenges that he or she will always have to face in any environment and stay true to ones self.
How do you balance the demands of the job with your time outside of work?
I have a very good sense of time management. I believe that with the right organisation and planning time is always enough, as long as you make the best out of it.
What are your hobbies/interests?
Travel
Three words to sum up your experience working within the Department of Surgery and Cancer.
